Apparatus for conducting molten metal



April 6, 1954 l. Rossi ETAL APPARATUS FOR CONDUCTING MOLTEN METAL Filed Marfhl l5, 1951 Nyon .n A tl fi- Patented Apr. 6, 17954 APPARATUS FOR CONDUCTING MOLTEN METAL Irving Rossi, Morristown, N. J.,

and Rufus Easton,

Schenectady, and T. Yates Wilson, Albany, N.,Y., assignors to Continuous Metalcast Co., Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application March 15, 1951, Serial No. 215,786

1 Claim.

, 1 This invention relates to the continuous castingrof metals and pertains particularly to apparatus for conducting the molten metal from a reservoir to the mold in which the metal is cast, and for controlling the flow therethrough.

In the casting of non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, copper, brass and the like in which the temperatures of the molten metal are relatively low, i. e. below 2000 F., the problem of conducting the molten metal and controlling the flow thereof is relatively simple of solution because of the availability of metals and refractories capable of withstanding such temperatures. In the casting of steel, however, the problem is much more dicult, for metals and refractories which are entirely adequate to handle non-ferrous metals are unsuited to withstand the higher temperatures of molten steel.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for conducting molten steel from a reservoir to a casting mold and for controlling the flow therethrough which shall be capable of withstanding the temperatures of moten steel for considerable periods of time.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a composite metal-refractory structure having a layer of finely divided, i. e. powdered or iine granular refractory located between the metal and refractory parts adapted to provide a seal in the event of fracture of the solid refractory.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

A preferred embodiment of the invention selected for purposes of illustration is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which,

The figure is a vertical ycross section through the apparatus.

Referring to the drawing, the iioor l of the rservoir in which the molten metal is maintained in molten condition is provided with an aperture 2 through which the molten metal flows through a conduit 3 which conducts the molten metal to the casting mold Il. The flow of molten metal through the aperture 2 is controlled by a valve 5.

The present invention has to do with the construction of the conduit 3 and valve 5 in order to enable these to withstand the temperatures of molten steel for considerable periods of time.

For this purpose a composite metal-refractory y,

structure is proposed as hereinafter described.

The valve 5 comprises a tubular metal shell 6 with walls heavy enough to provide the required mechanical strength. The lower end of the shell carries a plug 'I of refractory material which -IJI Ail)

seats against the aperture 2 and may be adjusted with respect thereto.

The shell 6 supports and is surrounded by a refractory tubular sleeve I3, arranged substantially concentrically therewith and spaced therefrom and seated on the plug. The upper end of the sleeve 8 is held in place by the washer i0 and nut II threaded on the shell 6. The space between the shell 6 and sleeve 8 is filled with powdered or granular refractory material I2.

The interior of the shell 6 is cooled by Suitable cooling iiuid such as water or air, for example. Preferably the cooling fluid is introduced through a tube I3, circulating in the direction shown by the arrows.

With this construction, the metal shell 6 is constantly cooled by the cooling iiuid and retains its strength as a supporting member for the refractory tube 8. Furthermore, the cooling effect on the plug 'I reduces the effect of the molten steel thereon, without, however, causing molten metal to freeze on the plug.

The combination of the refractory tube 8 and the layer of powdered or granular refractory material I2 serves to prevent the freezing of molten metal on the outer surfaces, and has been found exceptionally satisfactory for this purpose, not only because of the good insulating value of the nely divided refractory, but also because the combination provides a structure which can continue to operate satisfactorily even though the sleeve 8 may crack due to thermal shock. In the event of cracking, the influx oi' molten metal will be stopped by the powdered or granular refractory acting as a seal.

A similar principle of construction is employed in the conduit 3 in which a tubular supporting member I 5 of metal, preferably steel, is spaced from the refractoryy conducting tube I6 by a layer of powdered or granular refractory material I'l. The conduit is supported in any suitable manner, as by the flanged collar I8 secured to a suitable support I6. Ordinarily the metal tube I 5 is cooled sufliciently by radiation and convection, although it may be additionally cooled by air blast or water jacket, if desired.

Again, as in the case of the valve 5, even in the event of cracking of the refractory tube I6, the escape of molten metal will be prevented by the powdered or granular refractory material I1 acting as a seal.

The powdered or granular refractory material I2 and I'I above referred to should be of a type having a fusing temperature higher than the 3 melting point of steel. Powdered or granular magnesia, zirconia, silica or alumina are examples of satisfactory materials. This powdered or granular material should be placed in the spaces provided in loose, discrete form, i. e. without the use of binder of any kind.

In some cases, the molten metal may be discharged directly from the bottom of the tube I6, but it is usually advisable to use a distributor at the bottom of the tube to break or direct the flow of molten metal. In the present embodiment such a distributor is shown, comprising an enlarged head 2! of refractory material secured to the iianged end of the tube l5. The molten metal flows into the mold 4 through .apertures 22. The usual level of molten metal in the mold is indicated by the numeral 20.

It Will be understood that the invention may be variously modified and embodied Within the scope of the subjoined claim.

We claim as-our invention:

In an apparatus for the continuous casting of steel, a fluid cooled valve for controlling the 110W of molten metal from a furnace to a casting mold comprising, a refractory tube, a metal shell within and supporting said refractory tube but spaced therefrom, a layer of nely divided refractory material in loose, discrete form filling the space between said tube and shell, said nely divided refractory material having a fusing temperature higher than the melting point of steel and serving as a seal in the event of cracking of said tubular member of refractory material, and a refractory plug supported on the lower end of said shell, and means for circulating cooling iiuid Within said metal shell.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,616,074 Astrom Feb. 1, 1927 2,005,311 Belding June 18, 1.935 2,134,785 Goldberg et al. Nov. 1, 1938 2,195,791 Slick Apr. 2, 1940 2,197,515 Bruce Apr. 16, 1940 2,209,035 Prosen July 23, 1940 2,233,700 Grossman Mar. 4, 1941 2,305,477 Junghans Dec. 15, 1942 2,338,781 Porter Jan. 11, 1944 

